Skiing Glossary - REI Expert Advice Learn at REI > Expert Advice > Skiing Glossary Skiing Glossary New to downhill skiing? This skiing can quickly help you to get familiar with the most common terminology. A-D A Aerial—Airborne, gymnastic-type maneuvers performed on skis. Done by freestyle skiers who first ski off a jump. AFD (Anti-Friction Device)—Teflon® pad or mechanical slider attached to the top of the ski just behind the binding toe unit. The ski boot toe rests on this piece. Reduces friction between the top of the ski and the boot sole so that the boot releases smoothly during a fall. All Mountain Skis—Skis designed to perform well in a variety of snow conditions over the whole mountain. Alpine Skiing—Commonly known as downhill skiing. Uses stiff-cambered skis, hard-shell boots and fixed-heel, releasable bindings. B Base—The material on the underside of the ski, which allows it to slide when waxed. Usually made of polyethylene, the most common brand of which is P-Tex 1000.

Black Diamond—An expert-level ski slope designated by a sign with a black diamond on a white background. Boards—Another term for skis. Bumps (see Moguls) C Camber—The slight arch of a nonweighted ski when resting on a flat surface which contributes to the ski's flexibility. A ski with higher camber will feel springier than one with low camber. Alpine skis have alpine camber. They lack a significant arch or wax pocket underfoot, as found on Cross-Country-camber skis. Cap Skis—Skis designed with a seamless piece covering the top and sides so there are no separate sidewalls. Plastic caps, sometimes called "monocoque" construction, cover the true structure of the ski, usually a torsion box or a laminate. Carve—A clean turn made on the edge of the ski, without skidding. The skier must put pressure and weight on the ski edge, which forms an arc in the snow. Catwalk—A gentle, narrow trail that joins one ski slope to another or that winds down the entire mountain. Chatter—Vibration or instability of a ski on hard snow due to the edges bouncing off the snow instead of biting in.

Christie—A braking turn in which the ski tails are allowed to skid. Easier to do than carving turns since the skis are not angled up on their edges. Core—The center section of a ski, usually made of foam or laminated wood, which holds the structural layers apart. A ski's flex is determined by its core thickness. Corn Snow—Snow condition usually occurring in spring and consisting of small, rounded "kernels" or balls. Crud—Transition snow that is not packed down by skiers or grooming machines. Altered by temperature changes and repeated snowfalls, it has variable consistency, making it difficult to ski on. D Damping—A ski's resistance to sustained vibration, usually built into the ski with layers of shock-absorbing material. Delamination—The separation of a ski's base or top sheet from its core, which is usually irreparable. DIN—Deutsche Industrie Normen (German industrial standards organization). Sets standards for many things, among them alpine ski binding release settings and boot soles. (One DIN standard relates to the shape of boots as they fit into bindings.) The term "DIN" is typically used to refer to the binding release values when relating to alpine skiing.

Double Diamond—An extreme, expert-only ski slope, designated by a sign with 2 black diamonds on a white background. Downhill—High-speed ski racing with tight turns and jumps. Speeds can be in excess of 60 mph. Also, the common term used for alpine skiing. E-L E Edge—Usually made of carbon steel, it is the sharpened part on either side of a ski's base that bites into the snow. To edge a ski is to tip it up onto the side, pressing the steel edges into the snow. Express Lift—Common name for a high-speed chairlift. F Fall Line—The line of gravity or the most direct route down a slope. Fat Skis—Very wide skis designed to perform in deep powder snow. FIS—Federation Internationale de Ski, the international governing body of alpine and Cross-Country skiing. Flex—The amount of stiffness or "give" in a ski. A softer-flexed ski will perform better on soft, deep snow, whereas a stiff-flexed ski handles better on hard-packed snow.

Free-Carving—The relatively new style of skiing in which skiers use super-sidecut skis to make extreme, carved turns at high speeds, but without gates or moguls. The skier leans into the turn and compresses the legs. Poles are optional. Freeride—Term given to skis built to handle everything from powdery, groomed slopes to bumps, crud and other challenging terrain. Freestyle Skiing—Acrobatic skiing that includes moguls, jumps and aerial maneuvers such as twists and somersaults. G Giant Slalom (also G.S.)—A racecourse with medium-to-long-radius turns around gates. Also the type of skis used in those races. Gondola—A fully enclosed ski lift, in which skiers remove skis and stand or sit. Groomed Run—A ski run that has been smoothed over by machine for more consistent skiing. H Hourglass Skis—Super-sidecut skis, or skis on which the tips and tails are significantly wider than the waist. I Inner Boot—Insulating, cushioning ski boot liner that can be removed for drying. Fits inside the rigid plastic outer boot.

M-S M Mashed Potatoes—Lumpy, wet snow that catches ski tips and edges easily, making skiing challenging. Moguls—Humps of snow created by skiers repeatedly making turns in the same places on the slope. Also known as bumps. N NASTAR (National Standard Racing)— A racing organization for recreational skiers. O Off-piste—The area beyond the groomed runs of a ski area or backcountry away from developed ski areas. Overlap Boots—Traditional-style ski boot that closes in front with overlapping flaps and several buckles P Parabolic Skis—Shaped skis, or the most dramatically sidecut skis. Easier for beginners and intermediates to turn and control. Parallel Turn—A turn in which the skis are parallel to each other (rather than angled, as in a wedge turn). Piste—French for a groomed course on snow or the groomed portion of a ski area (see Off-piste). Powder—Fresh, dry snow, prized by skiers and snowboarders for its lightness. PSIA—Professional Ski Instructors of America. The organization that certifies most ski professionals in the U.S. Q Quad—Chairlift that carries 4 people per chair.

R Rear-Entry Boots—A style of ski boot that opens in back with a hinged flap that you push down to open and pull up to close. Usually has 1 or 2 buckles. Most commonly used for children and beginning skiers. Rock Skis—Old skis used for thin snow conditions in early and late season when hitting rocks is more likely. Rope Tow—A lift that pulls skiers up gentler slopes. Skiers hold on to handles along a continuously moving "rope" and keep their skis flat on the snow. S Shaped Skis (see Hourglass Skis) Sidecut—The difference in millimeters between the ski's waist (or narrowest part) and the tip and tail. A large sidecut allows skis to carve turns more readily. Sidewall—The material along the sides of a ski that covers the structural and core components (see Cap Skis). Schuss—Literally, "to shoot" or "shot" in German. To ski straight downhill very fast with skis parallel. Ski Boards—Very short, twin-tipped skis used for carving fast turns, jumping and doing acrobatic tricks.

Slalom—Skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright obstacles, usually flags. Also, a timed ski race over a winding or zigzag course past a series of flags or markers. Snowcat—A machine driven over the snow (on belts similar to a bulldozer's) to groom slopes for skiing or to transport people and gear. Snowplow—A means of slowing or stopping on skis in which ski tips are pointed inward, tails outward, and pressure is put on the inside edges. Stem Christie—A skiing turn begun by stemming a ski (pushing the tail outward) and completed by bringing the skis parallel into a christie (a braking turn in which the ski tails are allowed to skid). T-Z T T-Bar—A ski lift that pulls one or 2 skiers up a slope at a time with their skis resting on the snow. Skiers lean their hips/buttocks against a bar that hangs down between them. Torsional Rigidity—Resistance to twisting. A ski's torsional rigidity comes from its construction and core materials. A more rigid ski performs well on hard snow, whereas a less rigid ski will be easier to handle in soft snow.

Tuck—A tight, forward-lean position used for fast downhill runs. The skier is in a squatting position with the arms tight against the sides and skis parallel. W Waist—The narrowest part of a ski in between the tip and the tail. Wedge (see Snowplow) Schuss - definition of schuss by The Free Dictionary Schuss - definition of schuss by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Related to schuss: shush intr.v. schussed, schuss·ing, schuss·es 1. To make a fast straight downhill run on skis or a snowboard. 2. Informal To ski, especially at a fast pace. n. 1. A fast straight downhill run in skiing or snowboarding. 2. A straight steep course for skiing or snowboarding. [From German, shot, schuss, from Middle High German schuz, shot, from Old High German scuz; see skeud- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] schuss (Skiing) a straight high-speed downhill run vb (Skiing) (intr) to perform a schuss [German: shot1] 1.

a straight downhill ski run at high speed. v.i. 2. to execute a schuss. v.t. [1935–40; < German; c. shot 1] schus′ser, n. - A straight downhill ski run, it is literally German for "a shot." See also related terms for shot . schuss I will have been schussing you will have been schussing he/she/it will have been schussing we will have been schussing you will have been schussing they will have been schussing Past Perfect Continuous athletics , sport - an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition ski - move along on skis; "We love to ski the Rockies"; "My children don't ski" Translations Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: hit References in periodicals archive ?

Irving Farm Coffee Roasters' character and charm is going to be a great addition to this stretch of Third Avenue, which is home to a handful of national coffee chains but no local cafes that place such a strong emphasis on locally sourced and homemade food, in addition to one of the best coffee programs in the city," said Winick Realty Group's Matthew Schuss, who represented the tenant. Glossary of Ski Terms by Skis.com Skiing and snowboarding are two of the greatest winter sports on the planet, and like anything else in this world the two sports have certain terms and jargon that can be confusing without a bit of definition. Below you will find a number of terms/phrases used in skiing and snowboarding to refer to products, clothing, and the sports of skiing and snowboarding in general. We have provided a brief definition to help clear up any confusion or questions you may have on these terms/phrases. Click on any letter below to jump to that section or you may scroll down at your leisure. A ABS Sidewall: Industry term for a type of edge construction on skis and snowboards using high quality ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic.

All-Mountain Ski: A large percentage of Alpine skis fall into this category. All-Mountain skis are designed to perform in all types of snow conditions and at most speeds. Other names for this style of ski include Mid-Fat skis, All-Purpose skis, and the One-ski Quiver. Alpine Skiing: Downhill skiing, as opposed to Nordic Skiing . Après-Ski: The day’s over – time for drinks and swapping war stories from the slopes. Audio Helmet: A helmet wired with speakers that allows you to listen to music while skiing. Avalanche Beacon: A safety device worn by skiers, snowboarders, and others in case an avalanche traps them. The beacon transmits a signal (typically at the international standard frequency of 457khz) that rescuers can use to locate a buried person. An essential item for anyone venturing into the backcountry . Avalanche Control: The triggering of avalanches through artificial means, including controlled explosions, to make slopes safe for skiers. The most dangerous task faced by Ski Patrol . B Backcountry: Any area outside of resort boundaries or elsewhere that is not patrolled or cleared of avalanche dangers.

This is skiing and snowboarding at your own risk, thus the backcountry is a place for knowledgeable experts only. Balaclava: A facemask worn to cover exposed skin. A key extra whenever you are caught riding a lift in fierce, driving wind or snow. Base: Definition of this term is dependent on the context it is being used for. Base may be used to describe the under side of a ski or snowboard, the main area at the bottom of a ski resort, or the overall depth of snow. Baseplate: The bottom portion of a ski or snowboard binding. Of vital importance as this is the portion of binding in direct contact with ski/snowboard and therefore transfers all movement. Typically made with high-end plastics for both flexibility and strength. Basket: Typically round or star-shaped plastic piece located at the bottom end of a ski pole. Their primary purpose is to keep your poles from pushing too deep into the snow. Berm: A term for a snowbank, often used to provide stability on the outside of a turn. Binding Plate: See Baseplate . Binding: What connects a ski/snowboard boot to the actual ski/snowboard itself.

Ski bindings are designed to release from the ski during a fall, while snowboard bindings do not. Black Diamond: Expert trail denoted on trail maps and signs by a black diamond. The trail may or may not be groomed, and can vary from the merely tricky to insanely difficult. A double black diamond indicates the steepest, most difficult runs at a resort. Blue Square: Intermediate trail denoted on trail maps and signs by a blue square. Usually groomed and often the most popular runs. Note: At European resorts, a blue run is actually a beginner trail and that red is used to indicate an intermediate skill level. Bomber: Slang term for a skier or snowboarder flying down a slope in an out of control fashion. Bootboard: The platform inside a boot shell that the liner sits atop. Bowl: A large mountain basin, characteristically free of trees and tailor-made for great swooping turns or steep, speedy dives. Brain Bucket: Slang term for a helmet. Bumps: See Moguls . Bunny Slope: An easy and flat area for beginner’s. This area is almost always found near the base area as this is the first lesson stop for a never-ever .

Cable Car: See Tram . Camber: The upward curvature in the base of a ski or snowboard. Used to distribute weight of a rider across skis or a snowboard, as well as to provide proper tension for improved response. Determined by the amount of space beneath the center of a ski when it lays on a flat surface with its weight resting on the tip and tail. Cant: The lateral angle of the boot in relation to the ski or snowboard. Starting from a vertical axis, your feet can be canted inwards or outwards to improve edge control. Cap Construction: A manufacturing technique where the top sheet comes all the way down to the metal edges on the sides of a ski or snowboard; making it part of the overall structure. Carving: A series of clean turns using the edges of skis or a snowboard. Carving turns can vary from tight turns to giant “S” shaped swoops. Carving Ski: Narrower skis designed for tight, clean turns. Cat Skiing: Using a Snowcat to reach and then ski areas that are not accessible by chairlifts. This is similar to Heliskiing , but less expensive.

Cat Tracks: Relatively flat paths used by Snowcats to move around a mountain. These are often used by skiers and snowboarders as well to reach different areas within a resort. Chatter: The vibration of skis or snowboards caused by traveling at high speeds. Excessive chatter reduces contact between the ski and the snow and the ability to stay in total control. Chute: A steep and narrow gully, surrounded by rocks most often. Almost certainly an expert-only run, whether it’s marked or not. Cirque: A deep, steep-walled mountain basin or amphitheater carved out of the mountain by an alpine glacier. Similar to a bowl but generally steeper. Corduroy: A common slang term for the grooves found on a recently groomed trail created by a Snowcat or grooming machine. Called as such for the obvious resemblance to the fabric. Corn Snow: Springtime snow; the repeated melting and refreezing of the snow results in corn-sized icy snow crumbs. Cornice: An overhang of snow caused by constant wind; fun to launch from, but also dangerous as they can snap off at any time.

Couloirs: French for “corridor,” a couloir is similar to a chute , but typically steeper and more narrow; suitable for experts only. Crevasse: A deep and often times hidden crack in a glacier or permafrost. Cross-country Skiing: A superb workout and part of the Nordic Skiing family, cross-country-skiing uses narrow skis and bindings where the heel releases. Typically cross-country skiing is done on flat ground as opposed to riding a lift to access downhill skiing. Crust: Refers to a frozen layer either covering softer snow or buried under a fresh dusting of snow. D Dampening: Term used to describe a tool or technique that reduces the vibrations, also known as chatter , of skis or snowboard that occur at at high speeds. Death Cookies: Slang term for the cookie-sized chunks of ice formed by grooming and snowmaking; a plague at resorts in New England and the Midwest and not often seen in big-mountain Western resorts. Delamination: The separation of a laminate along the plane of its layers. An typical case of delamination occurs with the molded layers on a ski and snowboard separating. This can ruin equipment if not attended to quickly.

DIN Settings: The tension release setting that determines the amount of pressure required for a ski binding to release during a crash; stands for the German “Deutsche Industrie Normen.” Dump: Slang term for an epic snowfall of fresh powder ; A t-shirt with the staple slogan, “I love big dumps” can be found in many ski tourist towns. Durometer: The measurement used to determine the hardness of a plastic ski boot shell; the lower the durometer, the softer the shell. Edge: The sharpened metal strip on the sides of skis and snowboards, used for gaining control by biting into the snow for smoother carving and cutting. Holding an edge is a key to a good turn. Effective Edge: The length of metal edges on the ski that is in actual contact with the snow. Today’s shaped skis have a longer effective edge, resulting in a more stable, easier turning ski. F Fall Line: The most direct line down a trail or slope; known as such as if you fall, that’s the direction you’ll slide. First Tracks: Cutting through fresh snow before anyone else does, leaving behind your trail for all else to see.

FIS: French acronym (Fédération Internationale de Ski) for the International Ski Federation, the main international organization of ski sports. Flea Market: See Yard Sale . Flex: Term used for ski boots to describe stiffness of the outer shell . This term can also used describe how much a ski or snowboard bends when pressure is applied; typically, the more expert a skier, the stiffer the ski. Footbed: The removable sole inside a ski boot’s liner . Factory footbeds are typically designed to be replaced, as no two feet are alike. Custom footbeds can (and should) be made to fit the sole of the foot as closely as possible. Free heel skiing: See Telemark Skiing . Freestyle: A style of skiing or snowboarding primarily focused on tricks. French Fries: Slang term for skiing with skis parallel to one another; the opposite of pizza. Frozen Granular: Older snow that has frozen together, typically a result of being groomed repeatedly. Fun Box: A box found in Terrain Parks built to slide (see Jib ) across on skis or snowboard.

G Giant Slalom: Similar to Slalom racing, but with the racing gates placed further apart to allow for faster speeds and wider turns. This discipline uses two pole gates rather than single pole gates. Glade: A stand of trees. Goggles: Protective eyewear used not only to shade the sun and glare, but also to protect from wind, snow, and other potentially blinding objects. Gondola: An enclosed lift that fits, on average, between four to eight passengers; like a mini-cabin, and generally faster than an open chairlift. Grab: Holding onto any part of your skis or snowboard while in the air; used to add both style to a trick and to maintain balance. See Indy or Mute for grab examples. Granular Surface: A term for snow that has been packed down and possibly groomed ; definitely not fresh powder , but instead countless tiny pellets of ice and worn out snow. Green Circle: The easiest trails on a mountain, denoted on trail maps and signs by a green circle. Usually groomed , wide and flat, and not a place for experienced skiers as traffic must remain slow. Note: European resorts will use blue as the color to indicate an easy trail.

Grooming: The most common form of trail maintenance, done to spread new snow and to smooth over bumps, icy patches and other obstacles. To groom, tractors known as Snowcats drag giant rakes over the snow; on steeper slopes, winches are used to drag rakes up the incline. H Halfpipe: A U-shaped channel with smooth walls used by freestyle skiers and snowboarders for aerial tricks. Typically a halfpipe is created by carving a channel out of massive piles of snow, but they can also be dug out of the ground in areas with minimal snowfall. Hardgoods: A catch-all term used to classify ski and snowboard equipment, including the skis, snowboards, boots and bindings. Hardpack: A term for snow that has been densely packed due to repeated grooming or skiing and the lack of fresh snowfall. Headwall: A steep to vertical cliff found at the end of a valley; often the uppermost part of a Cirque . Heliskiing: The holy grail for experienced, expert skiers. Skiers are transferred by helicopter into the backcountry to ski off-trail through fresh tracks on virgin powder .

While it is expensive and potentially dangerous, it is also exhilarating and not something everyone can say they have done. Herringbone: To climb uphill on skis, spreading them apart to keep from sliding backwards; called as such due to the geometric pattern left behind in the snow. I In-bounds: Term used to describe ski terrain inside the boundaries of a ski resort; the opposite of out-of-bounds . Indy Grab: Grabbing the toe edge of your snowboard between the bindings with your rear hand; the most basic grab . Similarly executed on skis by grabbing a ski’s outside edge. Integrated Binding: A binding system provided with skis that are designed to work specifically with that ski. Quickly becoming the industry standard as they provide better flex by bending with the ski to increase control and the transfer of power. J Jib: Riding a snowboard or skis across on a non-snow surface, be it a rail , fun box , or even fallen log. Last: A boot maker’s term for the interior shape of a ski boot. Lasted Liner: A ski boot term used to describe the best type of liner constructed around a mold of the actual foot size for an improved fit.

Lateral Upper-cuff Adjustment: An adjustment on some ski boots that allows the user to shift the upper boot. Useful for bowlegged or knock-kneed people who need to adjust their upper boot to the angle of their lower legs. Liftie: A slang term for a ski lift operator. Liner: The removable, soft inner boot designed to provide both support and padding against the hard outer shell of a ski boot. M Magic Carpet: A conveyor-belt like surface lift. Typically found only on smaller, bunny slopes where younger kids learn to ski and snowboard. Mashed Potatoes: A slang term for wet and heavy snow. Memory Foam: A layer of foam within a ski boot designed to mold to a skier’s foot over time. Micro-fleece: An improved form of fleece, with a tighter, less dense knit that cuts down on size. A great material to use for a middle layer. Mid-fat Ski: Another term for an All-Mountain Ski . Milk Run: The first run early in the day. Moguls: Bumps carved into the snow; typically they are created by the turns of skiers, but they can also be carved out for perfectly shaped mogul field.

Mondopoint: The standard European measurement for shoe sizes, commonly used for ski boots. It’s based on the mean foot length for which the shoe is suitable, measured in centimeters. To determine U.S. sizing from Mondopoint, simply add the first and second digits together, and then add the decimal point (you will need add 1 to you calculated result to convert a U.S. men’s size to a women’s). For Mondopoint sizes greater than 30.0, add 9.0 to get the correct conversion (e.g., Mondo 30.0: 3 + 0 + .0 + 9 = 12.0). Monoski: A type of ski with both boots attached to a single board. Monoskis became relatively popular in Europe, but never quite caught on in the United States. This term is also used to refer to the “sit-ski” used by handicapped skiers. Mute Grab: Grabbing the toe edge of your snowboard between the bindings with your front hand. Similarly executed on skis by grabbing a ski’s outside edge.

N NASTAR: A worldwide program that allows ski or snowboard racers of all ages and abilities to compare themselves with one another through an intricate handicapping system. NASTAR is an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race. Never-ever: A first time skier or snowboarder. No-fall Zone: An area where falling will likely lead to serious injury; the initial entry into a steep chute is often described as a no-fall zone. Nordic Skiing: Most commonly used to refer to cross-country skiing, but in fact can be any form of skiing where the heel of the boot releases from the binding. Along with cross-country, common forms of Nordic skiing include Telemark Skiing and ski jumping. O Off-piste: Out-of-bounds. Off a trail and other areas not marked on trail map; sometimes used in place of backcountry . Piste: The French word for “trail.” Pit Zips: Jacket zippers located under the armpits allowing the user to circulate air through jacket on warmer days. Pizza: Slang term for a elementary skiing technique where skis are tilted together like a slice of pizza to snowplow down a slope.

Pole Grip: The handle on a ski pole. Powder: Fresh, dry and lightweight snow that for many is the Holy Grail of skiing and snowboarding. Large amounts of fresh powder make for epic skiing conditions. Powder Skis: Designed to float atop powder , these skis are particularly popular in areas that receive frequent major storms. The mega-wide waist widths – ranging from 105mm to 130mm – keep the skis from sinking deep into fresh snow, but they can be challenging and sluggish to control on groomed runs. Power Strap: The Velcro strap at the top end of a ski boot used to make sure that the top of the boot gives a snug fit connecting to the calf and shin. R Racing Ski: Typically stiffer, longer, and narrower than the average ski.Sometimes known as Slalom or Giant Slalom skis. Racing Boot: Designed for racing, these boots are stiffer and often more narrow than the average boot. Rail: A bar, typically metal, built to be slid up by skiers and snowboarders. Almost exclusively found in a Terrain Park . Reverse Camber: The downward arc formed in a ski or snowboard by applying pressure from above.

The more pressure applied, the greater amount of reverse camber created, thus loading the skis or snowboard with more energy for turning. Some skis are designed with reverse camber, which is built-in to keep the tips floating above the snow. Rope Tow: A common surface lift, typically found running up beginner bunny slopes ; a constantly moving rope that yanks skiers up the slope as they stand on their skis or snowboard. Runout: A flat expansive area at the end of run that allows racers to slow down, as well as a fairly flat run used to link tougher trails back to a ski lift. Schussing: Skiing straight downhill without turning. Shaped Skis: Term used to describe the hourglass shape utilized by the majority of skis today. Wider in the tips and tails and narrower at the waist , shaped skis require less effort to turn as the shape itself initiates a curve. The degree of actual shape depends on how much sidecut has been built in. Also know as parabolic skis. Shell: The hard plastic outer portion of a ski boot. Shovel: (ski): The front end of a ski, which often bows out to a larger shovel shape to avoid sinking into snow.

Sidecut: The inner curvature of a ski or snowboard, measured by the difference between the narrowest point in waist of a ski or snowboard to the widest points at the tip and tail. The curvature of a sidecut is the key component in creating a turning radius ; the more drastic the sidecut, the sharper the turn. Six-pack: Slang term for a chair lift carrying six people. Ski Boards: Extremely short skis that are like a cross between skiing and inline skating. Also known as snowblades. Ski Brake: A required attachment for ski bindings designed to stop a ski from shooting downhill after being detached. Ski Patrol: Trained skiers and snowboarders responsible for slope safety, including clearing areas of possible avalanche danger after a storm, marking dangerous obstacles on/near a trail, and assisting or even carting injured riders down a mountain. Skier’s Left: Used to describe the area to the left of someone heading downhill. Skier’s Right: Used to describe the area to the right of someone heading downhill. Ski-in: Accommodation that can be reached from the ski area via skis or snowboard.

Skijoring: A version of skiing in which the skier is attached to a set of dogs or a horse by a waistband and then pulled across flat ground. Skins: Synthetic or mohair strips of material that can be temporarily affixed to the bottom of skis for climbing up hills. Used to access higher elevations in the backcountry without constantly slipping backwards. Ski-out: Accommodation from which it’s possible to ride from the door to the lifts. Ski-walk Adjustment: An adjustment on some ski boots that allows the upper cuff to hinge backward, giving room for a more natural walking motion when skis are off. Slalom: A form of downhill skiing where racers head downhill on a course line with tightly spaced gates that must be passed between with short, quick turns; see also Giant Slalom . Snowcat: A tracked vehicle used for moving around snowy, mountainous areas; often seen dragging giant rakes as they groom runs, but also used to transport riders into the backcountry for cat skiing . Snowplow: A beginner’s technique for slowing down on skis. Done by bringing the front tips of a pair of skis together, pushing the tails apart, and applying pressure on the skis’ inside edges.

Also called pizza . Snowskate: Similar to a skateboard deck without wheels, designed to be ridden on snow for freestyle tricks. Softgoods: Catch-all term used to classify ski and snowboard clothing, including jackets, gloves, long underwear, and hats. Straight-lining: See Schussing . Super G: The fastest discipline in Alpine racing. Similar to Giant Slalom but with even fewer turns to negotiate allowing higher speeds. Superpipe: A larger version of a regular halfpipe ; walls in a superpipe can measure up to 20ft. Surface Lifts: Lifts that drag, yank, or pull skiers up a slope along the ground as opposed to in the air; see Rope Tow , T-bar , and Magic Carpet . Tail: The back end of a ski. T-bar: A surface lift that pulls you up hill by grabbing onto and then sitting on a plastic T-shaped arm suspended from a moving line. Often found on small and flat beginner slopes, but they can also be found high up a mountain in steep areas where a chairlift can’t or hasn’t yet been built. Telemark Skiing: Part of the Nordic Skiing family and a hybrid of downhill and cross-country skiing .

Skiing with detached heels allows for traversing across flat ground but telemark skis are also wide enough to handle high speeds and sharp turns. Known for its distinctive forward bent knee “telemark” turn. Sometimes called “free heel skiing.” Terrain Park: A freestyle zone roped off from other downhill runs and filled with jumps, rails , fun boxes , and other assorted obstacles. Parks can also include a halfpipe and boardercross run. Tracked Out: Slang term for a slope of once fresh snow that has been ridden over repeatedly. Tram: The largest aerial lift; the bus-size cabins can hold upwards of 100 passengers, and are most often used to cover long vertical distances. Transition: The section of a halfpipe linking the vertical walls to the flat floor; also know as trannies. Traverse: Skiing across a slope, often in a zigzag pattern, as opposed to straight down; typically done to keep speeds down on steep surface or to cut across a mountain. Tree Line: The altitude at which trees stop growing on a mountain.

In the U.S., the tree line floats between 8,000 and 10,000 ft, while in Europe it tends to be lower; closer to 7,000 ft. Tree Well: A dangerous hollow space formed around the base of trees after heavy snowfalls; fatal accidents can occur by falling into one. Turning Radius: A function of sidecut , the turning radius equals the natural circle that a pair of skis or a snowboard can make on edge . The more dramatic the sidecut, the tighter the turning radius. Twin Tip: Skis where both the tail and tip are turned up at the end, enabling a skier to ski backwards with ease. Originally popular only with freestyle skiers, as the twin tip shape allows for reverse (known as fakie or switch) take-offs and landings off jumps. Modern advancements, however, have seen twin tip shapes appear more often in big mountain skis, as they shape handles smoothly in powder conditions. U - There are no ski terms in our glossary that begin with the letter U at this time. W Waist Width: Measurement taken of the narrowest portion across a ski or snowboard, usually the middle of the sidecut .

Wax: Used on the base of skis and snowboards to keep them gliding smoothly over variable snow conditions. New skis and snowboards will typically come waxed, but should be tuned after several uses. Waxless Skis: A type of cross-country ski designed with a crosshatch or fish-scale pattern on the base that reduces or eliminate the need for wax . Wedge Turn: See Snowplow . White Out: When visibility drops to almost nothing; caused by heavy snowfall, fog, or a combination of the two. Wind Packed: A term used to describe snow that has been compressed by the movement of the wind. Schussing - definition of schussing by The Free Dictionary Schussing - definition of schussing by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . schuss intr.v. schussed, schuss·ing, schuss·es 1. To make a fast straight downhill run on skis or a snowboard. 2. Informal To ski, especially at a fast pace. n. 1. A fast straight downhill run in skiing or snowboarding. 2. A straight steep course for skiing or snowboarding.

[From German, shot, schuss, from Middle High German schuz, shot, from Old High German scuz; see skeud- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] schuss (Skiing) a straight high-speed downhill run vb (Skiing) (intr) to perform a schuss [German: shot1] 1. a straight downhill ski run at high speed. v.i. 2. to execute a schuss. v.t. [1935–40; < German; c. shot 1] schus′ser, n. - A straight downhill ski run, it is literally German for "a shot." See also related terms for shot . schuss I will have been schussing you will have been schussing he/she/it will have been schussing we will have been schussing you will have been schussing they will have been schussing Past Perfect Continuous athletics , sport - an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition ski - move along on skis; "We love to ski the Rockies"; "My children don't ski" Translations Want to thank TFD for its existence?

Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: hit References in periodicals archive ? Like a skier schussing down a black diamond run, interior designer Mark Dalton took a daring leap when he took on the recent renovation of a condominium in the exclusive Gulf-front Sanctuary on Longboat Key. Now that season melted away, time to hit gym For couples that prefer snuggling over schussing, Denver's Hotel Teatro offers a "Red Hot Romance" package all throughout February, including a $100 gift certificate to SOL Lingerie, with transportation and a personal shopper; a bottle of Vueve-Clicquot and chocolate covered strawberries, rose petal turndown service, a $40 credit for in-room breakfast and late checkout. Cupid-Approved Colorado Valentine's Packages The Council of Fashion Designers of America partnered with publisher Assouline to collect personal tidbits for the new book "American Fashion Travel," which includes Lubov and Max Azria's family vacations in Punta Canta, Dominican Republic, and Gilles Mendel schussing through the snow as a teenager in Val d'Isere, France.

A-Z of Skiing: U is for unweighting | The Independent A-Z of Skiing: U is for unweighting Saturday 19 February 2000 00:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Travel The Collins English Dictionary does not recognise the word "unweighting". It permits a few imported skiing terms, such as aprÃ¿s-ski ("social activity following a day's skiing"), mogul ("mound of hard snow on a ski slope, perhaps from South German dialect Mugl") and schuss ("straight high-speed downhill run"), but refuses an entry for one of the sport's key techniques. The Collins English Dictionary does not recognise the word "unweighting". It permits a few imported skiing terms, such as aprÃ¿s-ski ("social activity following a day's skiing"), mogul ("mound of hard snow on a ski slope, perhaps from South German dialect Mugl") and schuss ("straight high-speed downhill run"), but refuses an entry for one of the sport's key techniques.

A determined student could only conclude - by construing unweighting as the opposite of "weighting" - that it describes the dubious statistical process of making a survey sample unrepresentative, or the salary reduction suffered by an employee who leaves London. So what actually is unweighting? It is a sudden movement that, once completed, effectively lessens the weight with which the body presses down onto the ground. The same effect can be achieved by two apparently contradictory movements: upwards into a stretch, or downwards into a crouch. In both cases, the pressure which a skier exerts on his or her skis will be reduced. Since body weight is the only means that skiers - and, more obviously, snowboarders - have to control their edges, unweighting might seem a foolhardy manoeuvre. Yet ski instructors insist on it: that's what the process of initiating a turn ("plant the pole, straighten the knees") is all about. Unweighted skis turn more easily towards the fall line, both because of the reduced grip and because they lie flatter on the snow. As the knees pass across the centre-line of the skis, re-weighting will force the uphill edges into the snow, and complete the turn.

That is "upward" unweighting; the opposite - going into a crouch - is most commonly used to cope with bumpy terrain. Skilled skiers will increase upward unweighting by using the flex of their skis to help jump them from turn to turn. If you doubt the physics of upward unweighting, try this simple exercise: jump into the air. When you have left the ground, consider how much pressure you are exerting through your feet. It's definitely the quickest way of losing weight. Understand Skiers' Slang Understand Skiers' Slang Abattoir - Mogul Mick's signature freestyle move, where he catches big air off a roll and lands upon a six-pack of stupid snowboarders, sitting on their padded posteriors right in the middle of the run. Abstem - Wedging out the tail of the downhill ski. ACL - Acronym for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the tearing of which produces skiers' worst knee injury. Acro - Acrobatic skiing, linking jumps, flips and spins. Air (as in Catching Air) - Jumping off the snow.

Airplane Turn - Turning the skis in mid-air, to engage a new set of edges upon landing a jump. Alpine Skiing - The resort-based, sit and ride up, stand and slide down paradigm. Apres Ski - The night-life of a ski area, preferred by some to slope-side activities. ASS - Acronym for Abominable Snow Slider; anyone on the slopes who is wearing a really stupid-looking hat in order to get attention. AT - Acronym for Alpine Touring, using free-heel safety bindings that lock down after climbing, along with downhill-style skis; backcountry skiing combing Nordic and Alpine functions. ATS - Acronym for the American Teaching System; also known as "Always Teach Steering." Avie - Acronym for Big Air, Flat Landing, which may result in compression fractures of the vertebrae. Balance - The fundamental skill of skiing, also known as a sequence of linked recoveries. Biff - To bump the snow with your body, as in a brief uphill fall and quick recovery. Big Air - Leaving the ground for at least a couple of seconds of hang-time.

Boilerplate (Bulletproof) - Hard, dense, unedgeable ice, often created by a mid-winter thaw or rain. Bomb Hole - Impression in the snow produced by landing big air. Bombing (Booming, Schuss-booming) - Recklessly going straight down hill at high speed. The record for speed skiing is 150 mph. Bonk - To bounce off an object. (Caution: this word is also Brit-speak for "shag") Bono - Skiing full-speed into a tree. Bowl - Steep, wide run, usually higher on both sides. Bros - Our fellow rippers and shredders who are just out for fun, rather than doing big hucks for big bucks like some of the Pros. Bumps (Moguls) - Series of small hills and troughs made by skiers repeatedly turning in the same place. Bunny (Snow Bunny) - Novice female skier, usually more interested in posing than in skiing. Bunny Hill - Falling upon one's posterior, which is (almost) always good for a laugh. Camber - The natural longitudinal curve of an unweighted ski's base, which gives it rebound out of turns.

Cap Ski - Monocoque ski construction, without a separate sidewall. Carvaholic - Skier or snowboarder addicted to the sensation of carving. Carving - Turning with the dug-in edge of a ski or snowboard, producing a crisp, clean arc without significant skidding or side-slipping. Champagne Powder - Very dry snow, which is so light that it can't be made into a snowball. Chatter - Vibrations produced by a ski not holding its edge on ice or hardpack. Checking - Briefly setting an edge to reduce speed. Chinese Downhill (Geschmozzle) - Race where everyone starts together. Chocolate Chips - A cluster of rocks poking out of the snow. Chowder - Shallow, closely-spaced parallel grooves in the snow made by grooming machines. Core Shot - An impact causing severe damage to a ski's base, exposing its core. Corn - A type of spring snow that forms into small, light pellets. Cornice - Overhanging ridge of windblown snow or ice. Coulie (Couloir) - A narrow chute with rock walls on both sides.

Crud - Wet, heavy, clumpy, cut-up, mashed-potato-like snow, in which turning is difficult. Cruising - Making big turns at high speed. Crust - Frozen surface covering loose snow. Daffy - Aerial with one ski forward, the other aft. Damp - Ability of a ski to dampen or absorb vibrations. Death Cookies - Firm or frozen clumps of snow, usually the result of incompetent snow-making. Deeps - Deep powder conditions, requiring a powder cord or leash on your skis. Disco Sticks - Short slalom and twin-tip skis, capable of very short radius turns. Eagle (Spread Eagle) - Aerial with arms and legs spread apart. Ego Snow - Machine-groomed packed powder, which holds an edge without much skill or effort. Expert - Someone with the ability to ski under control in any terrain or snow condition. Extreme - Ski conditions or tactics that put your life in danger. Face-Plant - Falling on your face, which is rarely a funny situation. Face Shot - Skiing fast in deep powder, causing it to fly up into your face. Fakie (Going Fakie) - Skiing, snowboarding or skiboarding backwards.

Fall-Line - Path taken by a large ball rolling down a slope. Fatty (Fat Ski) - A very wide ski designed for powder conditions. Fib - Glib attempt to excuse a fall, by saying, "I caught an edge," or "I lost an edge." Figure 11 (Schuss) - Running straight down hill, with skis parallel. FIS - Acronym for Federation Internationale de Ski, which regulates World Cup ski competition. Freecarving (Funcarving, Supercarving) - Laying down slow-speed trenches on hypercarvers without using poles. Freerider - One who prefers to ski off-piste steeps, jab through the trees and huck powder bumps. Freeride Skis (Riders) - Mid-fat, all-terrain skis that excel in the steep and deep. Free Skiing - Non-competitive, non-task-oriented skiing, done for adventure, enjoyment, exploration and/or self-expression. Freestyle - Aerials off a ramp or tricks on a timed mogul run, these are the only events at which the U.S. Olympic Ski Team excels. Freshies - "V"-shaped climbing step; duck-walking uphill.

Hinge - Falling downhill with great force. Hip Check - Smearing one's butt on the snow while turning in steep powder, in order to scrub off speed. Hit - Take-off point of a terrain feature, from which one can catch air. Hoho - Handstand on the apex of a halfpipe. Hooking - Tendency for a ski to turn uncontrollably. Huck - To ski off a cliff or roll, catching big air. Hurl Carcass - To huck in a really major way. The current record is 226 vertical feet. Hypercarver - Short ski with a radical sidecut and a turn radius less than 14 meters, often skied without poles. Invert - Aerial maneuver during which one is upside down. Jetting - Accelerating while exiting a turn by projecting the feet forward. Jibbing - Sliding down anything that isn't snow, such as a railing or sitting snowboarder. Kicker - Children who can't resist freezing their tongues to the chairlift. Lunch Tray (aka "Launch" Tray) - Snowboard. The nasty odor of polyester underwear after a strenuous day on the slopes.

Mid-Fat (Low-Fat) - A wider shaped ski, designed for both on- and off-piste skiing. NASTAR - Acronym for NAtional STAndards Race, a group of small-scale standardized race courses at resorts across the country. Noodle - A ski that lacks torsional rigidity, making it unstable at speed. Nordic Skiing - Usually meant as cross-country ski touring on skinny skis with free-heel bindings; the Nordic skiing events in the Winter Olympics are something quite different. Nosebone - Snowboard jump with front leg straight and rear leg flexed. Off-Piste - Ungroomed portion of the ski area. Ollie - Snowboard pre-jump move, where one foot is lifted before the other. Out-of-Bounds - Unpatrolled regions outside the designated ski area. Pack - To slam hard. Parabolic - Hourglass-shaped ski, with a much wider tip and tail to increase ease of turning and carving. Park - The snowboard terrain area, with hits and half-pipes. Pin-Head - To scrub off speed on the steeps by dragging your hip across the snow.

Snotsicle - Frozen nasal discharge, usually the result of cold-induced rhinorrhea. Snow Farm - Ski area depending primarily upon man-made snow. Snow Gun - Device used to mix water and compressed air to produce ersatz snow. Snow Scum - Skiers or snowboarders who ignore the Responsibility Code. Snow Toys - Devices used for gliding on snow by those who are unable to ski. Spring Conditions - When snow freezes at night and thaws during the day. Sproing (Gelandesprung) - Using your momentum and a double pole plant to lift your skis off the snow and clear an obstacle. Stack - To land a jump on a flat area. Steeps - From double black diamond runs to the snow-holding limit of vertical, about 55 degrees. Stem - To push out or wedge the tail of the uphill ski. Sticks (Planks) - Skis; sticks are also what beginning children call their ski poles. Style - The individual expression of technique. Sucker Hole - Fleeting patch of blue in an otherwise overcast sky. Super-Sidecut - Modern recreational ski, with a sidecut of at least 14 mm.

Sweet Spot - The balance point on a ski that produces optimum turning; the bigger sweet spot, the more forgiving the ski and the lower its performance in demanding situations. Swing Turns - Tip-pivoted parallel turns down the fall-line, with quick edge-checks. Take-off - The lip of a jump's in-run. Telemarking - Skiing alpine runs on free-heel skis, making turns by kneeling on one ski. Ten-Eighty - Aerial spin with three complete revolutions. Ten Eighty-Three - Ski School radio code for a lost child. Terrain Features - Natural or man-made obstacles on a run. Toilet Turns - Sloppy turns made from the pooping position. Torsional Rigidity - The resistance of a ski to twisting about its long axis, considered a desirable feature. Trail - The sloped back side of a man-made jump, beyond the table-top. Traverse - Skiing across the fall line, without turning. Tree Well - Skier-trapping depression in the snow that surrounds a tree trunk. Trench - Deeply-carved track of a ski or snowboard. Trustafarian - Rich but ragged ski bum, pretending to be poor.

Unweighting - Any movement, up or down, that reduces the downward pressure on a ski or snowboard. USSA - Acronym for United States Ski Association, a national race organization. Vermin - Groups of snowboarders or skiers blocking access to the lift lines. Vorlage - Moving one's weight forward just before a turn. Wedeln - Linking hip-wiggling turns down the fall line, feet and knees locked together, edge-set minimal. Wedge - Schuss | Define Schuss at Dictionary.com schuss [shoo s, shoos] /ʃʊs, ʃus/ Skiing. Spell a straight downhill run at high speed. verb (used without object) to schuss the slopes around Aspen. Origin of schuss 1935-40; < German; cognate with shot 1 Related forms British Dictionary definitions for schuss Expand a straight high-speed downhill run verb (intransitive) to perform a schuss Word Origin Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Question: In skiing what term describes a straight high speed downhill run
Answer: A schuss